Double rubble as high street is dug up again

8:10am Saturday 23rd August 2008

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PARKING bays along Borehamwood’s Shenley Road have been dug up just days after being resurfaced, in the latest saga to hit the controversial roadworks.

The town’s main shopping street has been partially shut since July 28, as engineers from Hertfordshire Highways carry out maintenance work.

The work includes resurfacing the carriageway, up-grading crossings, repairing sections of footway, and replacing worn-out street signs and drain covers.

The parking spaces were resurfaced last week.

But earlier this week contractors were seen undoing the work and digging up the bays to lay them again.

According to Hertfordshire Highways, the initial surface did not meet standards of durability and skid resistance so it was decided to redo them.

A spokeswoman said: “All surfacing work is regularly checked and, very occasionally, we’re not satisfied with the finished result.

“In this case, we were concerned about the surface’s durability and skid resistance so the decision was made for it to be removed and resurfaced.

“We still aim to complete the resurfacing work on schedule and the cost of any additional resurfacing will be met in full by the contractor, not by the taxpayer or Hertfordshire Highways.”

But the move has angered shopkeepers already frustrated with the effect the work has had on business.

Mick Purchase, owner of MJP Autos in Glenhaven Avenue said: “They should have checked before they laid it. If I mess up in my business it costs me money but they can make any mess-up they like.

“The roadworks have meant hell for everyone for the past four weeks and no one cares that business has gone down 50 per cent,” he added.

“Glenhaven Avenue is like a deserted street and everyone’s affected. It’s ridiculous. If they were a business they’d go bust. If it’s not developers wrecking the roads, it’s some contractor doing it.”

The road, which has been shut completely at night and westbound during the day for the past four weeks, is due to reopen on Sunday.